-1Chapter 13- Telling the Past

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"I think we should stop here to stretch." the queen tells her family as they begin to pass a little town.

Harry doesn't know what to say. His bottom was certainly asking to be free from its place underneath him.

"Alright, sweetheart. We will do as you wish." king James says looking at his son and nephew. "I think we can all use some stretching.

The carriage stops in front of a small inn. Both queen and lord get of but before James can move he notices his son's far away look.

"Are you coming?" he ask.

Harry turns to his father for a moment looking confuse then nods as he goes pass his father. Before he can go into the building where his mother and Draco has gone into his father calls for him.

"Lets take a walk first." Harry just follows his father. When they reach a secluded area the king looks at his son once more. "What is troubling you these days? I thought you liked Ginny."

"She is okay. Its just… She is not the one I want. I…"

"What?" the king says placing a hand on Harry's shoulder.

"I don't want to spend the rest of my life with her. Or…I…"

"Son, we don't always get what we want. We have responsibilities and we must honor them."

"I know." Harry closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. "While Ginny was here I met someone. She is beautiful and she is all I have ever wanted."

"Then what's the problem? Why haven't I met her?"

"She left. I will probably never see her again." Harry says looking away.

"I am sorry."

Harry walks away from his father.

"You probably wouldn't like her anyway. I know you will have disapprove of her."

"Harry…"

"No I know how you are father. I know you will probably dislike her."

"If you love her why have you decided on a wife. You are pointing your finger at me but you have decided to go to Hufflepuff. To ask for princess Ginny's hand in marriage." the king says.

"I have responsibilities to my crown. To my land." he says with harshness in his voice. He then lets out a laugh. "You wouldn't even understand what its like to have to let go of the woman you love. You have always love my mother. Your like the picture of perfection."

"You are wrong." James says quietly. "I know what is like to let go of someone so precious to your heart. Someone you love more than life itself." he gives Harry a glance before looking away. "I once love someone, that was not your mother, so much I was willing to leave my family for her. All she had to do was ask."

Harry stiffens before looking at his father. He is studying his features and after a while he knew he wasn't lying. That made his heart hurt at the thought that his father was willing to abandon him and his mother.

"When?" Harry chokes out.

"I met her in the war. She was second in command of the warriors from Ravenclaw. She was young, beautiful and different. She had no noble blood in her and yet she caught my eyes. She was a peasant that joined the army to help with her families income. So young, so beautiful.

You where only two years old. I had to leave you and your mother at Gryffindor palace. But I wasn't the only king with a young child. Arthur the king of Hufflepuff had left his young daughter."

"Ginny?" Harry interrupts and James nods and continues.

"She was only one. Her mother Molly died giving birth to her. Arthur's heart was broken still. He really loved her. Jane, saw that and she felt for him. All three of us started to hang out. We stick together in the battlefield. Watching each other's back.

One day she was reckless and left us to chase after some of the leader's from Slithering. They were called death eaters. You have no idea what those monsters will do to anybody who opposes them. I believe they were after her anyway.

Arthur went after her. I don't know what happen. All I know is that I was left alone. Neither one of them by my side. When the battle subsided I went back to camp. I saw them there. She was lying on a medic bed with him holding her hand. He looked up at me and I see that he was worried for her life.

The next morning she woke up. The moment she did she held him tight. Like her life depended on it. I knew then she didn't love me. I knew when this my fantasies of living a life with her was all over. She will go to Hufflepuff with him. I will go to Gryffindor to the family I was willing to leave."

James looks down in shame. Harry looks at his father with an open mouth.

"Do you regret not telling her how you felt? Not going after her?" Harry ask.

"No. I have grown to love your mother. I am truthful when I say I am happy to have come home."

"But you wish she would have love you. Instead of him that is."

"That is a tough question. I don't really have an answer for that. I could say we have both been bless at our choices. I never saw her happier than with Arthur and I have live so many great moments with the two of you." James says giving Harry a comforting smile.

"You chose duty over love." Harry says quietly and the king nods. "And you are happy for that?"

James nods again. Then they here someone clear their throats. Both men turn to see queen Lily standing next to lord Draco. The queen's face is unreadable. While Draco's mouth is open in surprise.

It was obvious they both heard this story.

"Harry, you and Draco go back to the inn and start eating. I need to talk to your father for a few minutes." Lily says in a calm voice.

Harry gives is father a small smile and follows his cousin.

After a while Lily looks at her husband.

"I thought we agree never to speak of that." she says coldly.

"I am just trying to have an honest conversation with my son. You know that his heart is troubled at this moment."

"Still, I hate for him to think I was not enough for you. That we were not enough for you to stay."

James wraps his arms around his queen before whispering into her ear.

"You need to know, Lily, I do not regret staying with you."

She pulls away and looks at him.

"You didn't have a choice, my king."

"True, but I think I got the best of things. I did not have to suffer her loss like Arthur did. You know why?" he raises an eyebrow to her. "Because when Jane got killed you had a hold in my heart again."

Lily wraps her arms around the king's neck.

"I love you, James." she looks down. "We should get back to the boys. We should get back in the road if we want to get to the palace by nightfall."

"Your wishes is my command." James as they walk arm in arm.

------

"How much did you hear from my father's story?" Harry ask Draco.

They had both opted to ride by horse for a while to relax a little and take a better look at there surroundings. The country side was beautiful.

"About all of it." Draco says not looking at Harry.

"What do you think?"

"I would have never thought that king James would have ever thought to do that. He seems so strict and a rule follower through and through. Yet he is telling you a story about almost abandoning his family. The biggest rule to break for a king."

"So you think its legit?" Harry asks.

"What? You think he told you that so you can marry Ginny?" Harry nods. "No I saw your mother's face at the mention of this Jane woman. Its totally legitimate."

"Poor, mom." Harry says.

"But like my uncle said at the end it all work out. He stayed with you and your mom."

"But we were the second choice."

"And he doesn't regret that. Specially since it's the choice that won. He is happy to be here. So what are you going to do anyway?"

"I think its time for me to do what is right. I will ask for Ginny's hand. That is if she will take me. If my father was willing to love my mother and be happy. Then I will."

-------

Hermione was feeling trapped and hungry. She has not left her room since she came back. She believes it is now time to get out.

She walks calmly down the stair case to not wake anybody in the house. It is now past one in the morning so she knew they will be sleeping.

As she enters the kitchen she is met with the sight of someone going through there pantry.

"Draco?" she says as she sees his silvery white hair.

He stands up and looks at her.

"Jane, is that you? I thought you will be home by now." he says walking towards her and giving her a short hug.

She blushes a little and then looks him in the eyes.

"I am home, actually. I… how do I say this. My real name is not Jane." she stops but continues when she sees his confuse look. "My name is Hermione. Well, princess Hermione Jane of Hufflepuff."

He then takes a seat by the table.

"You're a princess. Your Ginny's younger sister."

She sits in front of him.

"Yeah I am."

"Then why did you tell us…"

"That I was just a friend. Well I don't know if you notice that I don't really do princess things. I prefer being outside and horseback ridding and… just other things. So my sister told me I can do that if I go with her. That they didn't need to know I was her sister. We weren't expecting for you to come here."

"I see."

"Are you mad?" she says giving him a sad look.

"No, just surprise. But I am happy to see you. I really enjoy your company." he says holding her hand.

"I also enjoy my time with you."

They talk and walk around for a few hours. Just enjoying each others company.

And just as the sun was about to come out they said there goodnights and went to bed.

Okay, I know when will they know. Well good news. It is next chapter. Keep on doing a great job reviewing and I will try to get it here a.s.a.p. Promise.

I also hope you like that side story. It will make a few things be make more sense.

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